Wire management grommet with non-captive closure member and sleeve

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a two-piece grommet adapted for holding a cable in an aperture, such as in a desk or work surface so as to absorb any strain imposed on the cable and to provide an attractive covering for the hole drilled to pass the cable. The grommet consists of two portions. The first portion comprises a cylindrical sleeve having a circular lip. The second portion comprises a cap having an extended flange and adapted to frictionally fit into the cylindrical sleeve and against the lip. The cap has an aperture cut into it through which the cable passes. A pivotal tab is connected under the cap to close the aperture when no cable passes therethrough.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices for passing a flexible or non-flexible cord, such as a telephone cord or computer cable, through one or more elements such as a desk top, a piece of furniture, a wall or other type of installation are well known. Various devices to do this are known in the art and each of these devices has drawbacks. One device, which is now being used, requires a spring loaded cap which is held in place within a sleeve by the action of the spring. This device is complex, expensive and difficult to use. Other devices consist simply of a cylindrical sleeve in which the hole in the panel or desk must be cut to precisely the exact site or the sleeve will simply fall out, particularly if it is set in a vertical position. If the hole is not cut to the precise size, means must be used to secure the sleeve into the hole.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, improved device for passing a cable or cord through an aperture in a work surface securing the cord.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a grommet capable of being held easily in a hole cut into a work surface, for passing an electrical cord.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a grommet for holding an electrical cord which can be easily held and used in both a vertical and horizontal position.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a means to close the hole when not in use.

These and other objects will be described by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the grommet assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of the cap portion of the present invention, and

FIG. 3 is a side view partially broken away of the cap portion of the grommet of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown the sleeve portion 10 of the grommet of the present invention and the cap portion 12. The sleeve portion comprises a cylindrical hollow sleeve 14, and a lip 16 having a larger diameter than sleeve 14. Sleeve 14 optionally has a rib 18 slightly raised from the surface of sleeve 14. The cap portion of the grommet of the present invention comprises a shank portion 20 and a flange or lip portion 22. Cut into the cap 12 is an aperture or slot 24 through which will pass the electrical cable 36 which is held by the grommet of the present invention.

The shank portion 20 of the cap is of a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the sleeve portion 10 so that the cap frictionally fits and is held in the sleeve portion 10. The flange 22 rests against lip 16.

A tab 26 is pivotably attached to the underside 28 of cap 12. Tab 26 is shaped so that it frictionally fits into slot 24. Thus, when no cable is passing through slot 24, tab 26 can be closed so that no opening appears in the cap 12 and it appears to be a solid surface. Tab 26 fits tightly enough frictionally to that it stays in place in slot 24 until pushed down to reopen slot 24.

Tab 26 has a connecting arm 30 which has a male connector comprising an elongated cylinder 32 at the end thereof. Cylinder 32 snap fits into a female receiver portion 34 which holds cylinder 32 yet allows it to pivot. Cylinder 32 can be pulled, with mild force, out of receiver portion 34 so that tab 26 can be separated from cap 12, if desired, and replaced when needed. Thus, this design allows the user to swing tab 26 down and out of the way if desired or it can be removed entirely.

Arm 30 is attached under tab 28 creating a step 37. Step 37 is necessary to pivot tab 28 so that it is flush with the top surface of cap 12 while arm 30 remains underneath cap 12 and out of the way.

In using the device of the present invention, a hole is drilled or cut into the panel, wall, board, desk or work surface 25 through which the electrical cable 36 is to pass. The sleeve portion 10 of the present invention is then pressed into place in the hole with rib 18 forming a means for the sleeve portion 10 to be frictionally held in place even if it is in a vertical direction. The rib 18 also provides a means to hold the sleeve in place if the hole has not been drilled precisely to the correct size and is slightly too big. Rib 18 also acts as a dam to hold glue if it is desired to glue sleeve 10 in place.

The electrical cable 36 is then passed through the hole in the panel, wall, desk or work surface which now contains sleeve 10, and then cap 12, with tab 26 pivoted down and out of the way, is placed over the cable and pressed into place, so that shank 20 frictionally fits into and is held in the inside diameter of the sleeve 10.

The aperture 24 that is cut into the cap 12 can be made of a variety of sizes and shapes depending upon the size of the electrical cable to be passed through the grommet or the size of the hole in the desk. Tab 26, of course, must conform to the size and shape of aperture 24.

The lip 16 of sleeve portion 10 will rest on the flat portion of the wall, panel, desk or work surface, holding the sleeve portion 10 in place, so that it will not fall through the hole. The rib 18 will prevent the grommet from slipping back and forth within the hole in which it is placed.

An additional advantage of the lip 16 and the cap 22 is the fact that when holes are cut into walls or desks there are usually rough edges or chips in the wood, and lip portion 16 will cover these unsightly chips. On steel or metal surfaces, the grommet prevents cutting of the cable by a rough metal edge.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3, there is clearly shown a 90 degree angle between the sleeve 14 and the lip 16. This 90 degree angle allows the lip 16 to rest on the surface of the work surface.

In addition, there is shown a beveled edge 38 on cap 12. The beveled edge 38 not only is aesthetic but will allow the sliding of objects over the top of cap 12 with very little resistance.

The grommet of the present invention can be made of any convenient material, such as plastic, metal, or wood, but is preferably made of plastic since it is easiest to produce and also is a non-conductive material in the event of any electrical cables which may have a problem of shorting or shocking a potential user.

The grommet of this invention also has the adaptability that the sleeve portion 10 can be used without the cap portion 12 in the event any cable or cables must be passed through the hole that fill the entire inside diameter.

In addition, two sleeve portions 10 can be placed back to back to cover both the top and bottom or both sides of a hole in a work surface or wall. Caps 12 can be placed on one or both sides.

Having thus described the invention with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art the various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A method comprising providing a grommet cap set comprising: a sleeve comprising: a cylindrical inner surface defining a cylindrical hole to be covered, the inner surface forming a cylinder with an axial direction; and an outer surface, the outer surface being substantially cylindrical and having formed thereon at least one rib; a grommet cap having a substantially planar top side and an underside, the grommet cap comprising: a flange extending to an outer edge of the grommet cap and having a dimension larger than the hole to be covered; a shank depending downwardly from the underside of the grommet cap and having an outer surface with at least a substantial vertical portion configured cylindrically in conformance with the size and shape of at least a substantial portion of the inner surface of the sleeve, the outer edge of the grommet cap extending radially outside of the shank; and an aperture in the grommet cap extending in a radial direction through the flange from near a center of the flange to the outer edge of the grommet cap, the aperture elongated in the radial direction; and a non-captive closure member elongated in a longitudinal direction and having a first end and a second end, with the first end opposite the second end in the longitudinal direction, the first end comprising an arm elongated in the longitudinal direction, the non-captive closure member having a first extension extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second extension extending in a direction opposite that of the first extension, the second end of the non-captive closure member comprising a closure portion, the closure portion joining the arm at a step and being sized and shaped so as to match the aperture in the grommet cap, the closure portion having a top side over substantially all of the closure portion, the top side of the closure portion being a planar surface elongated in the longitudinal direction; wherein the non-captive closure member is capable of being placed in at least the following three positions: a closed position in which the non-captive closure member rests in the radial direction, the closure portion of the non-captive closure member fills the aperture in the grommet cap, the planar top side of the closure portion is disposed in the radial direction and is substantially co-planar with the top side of the grommet cap, and the second end of the non-captive element is substantially contiguous with the outer edge of the grommet cap, the grommet cap and the non-captive closure member cooperating to appear as a solid surface; an open position in which the non-captive closure member is disposed completely under the grommet cap and supported at least partially by the first extension and the second extension, with the second end of the non-captive closure member hanging below the first end at least ninety degrees below the cap, the first end being adjacent the underside of the grommet cap; and a separated position in which the non-captive closure member is removed entirely from and does not contact the grommet cap and the sleeve; and moving the non-captive closure member from the open position to the separated position.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one rib is disposed horizontally.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one rib extends in a circumferential direction along the outer surface of the sleeve.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising a receiver configured to receive the extension.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the extension is configured substantially to fill the receiver.
 19. The method of claim 14, configured to permit the non-captive closure member to move from the closed position to the open position by movement that includes pivoting.
 20. The method of claim 19, configured to permit the non-captive element to move from the closed position to the open position by a single movement.
 21. The method of claim 14, configured to permit the non-captive closure element to move from the closed position to the open position while carried by the grommet cap.
 22. The method of claim 14, wherein the first extension comprises a pin.
 23. The method of claim 14, configured to permit the non-captive closure member in the open position to touch the cap.
 24. A method comprising providing a separable tab, grommet cap, and sleeve combination comprising: a sleeve having an inner surface defining a hole to be covered and an outer surface; a grommet cap having a substantially planar top side and a substantially planar underside, the grommet cap comprising: a flange extending to an outer edge of the grommet cap and having a dimension larger than the hole to be covered; a shank depending from the substantially planar underside of the grommet cap and having an outer surface with a least a substantial portion configured substantially in conformance with the size and shape of at least a substantial portion of the inner surface of the sleeve, the outer edge of the grommet cap extending radially outside of the shank; an aperture in the grommet cap extending through the flange to the outer edge of the grommet cap; and a receiver under the substantially planar underside of the grommet cap; and a separable tab configured to fill at least a substantial portion of the aperture in the grommet cap, the separable tab having at least one connector, the at least one connector being dimensioned to fit at least partially into at least a portion of the receiver adjacent the substantially plan underside of the cap such that the separable tab can be separated from the grommet cap by removing the at least one connector out of the receiver, the separable tab being moveable into at least the following three positions: a closed position in which the separable tab completely fills the aperture in the grommet cap and the at least one connector is under the substantially plan underside of the grommet cap; an open position in which the separable tab is disposed completely under the substantially planar underside of the grommet cap; and a separated position in which the separated tab is removed entirely from and does not contact the grommet cap; and moving the separable tab from the open position to the separated position.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the sleeve further comprises at least one rib.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one rib is disposed horizontally around a least a substantial portion of the outer surface of the sleeve.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the at least one rib circumferentially encircles the outer surface of the sleeve.
 28. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one connector is dimensioned substantially to fill the receiver.
 29. The method of claim 24, wherein the separable tab is pivotable between the closed position and the open position.
 30. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one connector is substantially cylindrical.
 31. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one connector is formed as part of a bar extending transversely across an end of the removable tab.
 32. The method of claim 24, wherein in the open position the separable tab is positioned at least about ninety degrees away from its closed position.
 33. The method of claim 24, wherein the tab is elongated in a longitudinal direction.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the at least one connector is holdable by the receiver without sliding therebetween in said longitudinal direction.
 35. The method of claim 24, wherein the separable tab is removable from the grommet cap with mild force.
 36. The method of claim 24, wherein in the open position the at least one connector is held in close proximity to the substantially planar underside of the grommet cap.
 37. The method of claim 24, wherein in the closed position the at least one connector is held in close proximity to the substantially planar underside of the grommet cap.
 38. The method of claim 24, wherein the receiver is configured to permit the at least one connector to touch the substantially planar underside of the grommet cap at a time when the at least one connector is at least partially inside the female receiver.
 39. The method of claim 24, wherein in the open position the receiver permits the at least one connector to contact the substantially planar underside of the grommet cap.
 40. The method of claim 24, wherein in the closed position the receiver permits the at least one connector to contact the substantially planar underside of the grommet cap.
 41. The method of claim 24, wherein the separable tab in the closed position may be removed from the cap.
 42. The method of claim 24, wherein the separable tab may be moved between the open position and the closed position by movement that includes pivoting.
 43. The method of claim 24, wherein the separable tab may be moved between the open position and the closed position in a single motion.
 44. The method of claim 24, wherein the shank is cylindrical.
 45. A method comprising providing a grommet cap set comprising: a sleeve having an inner surface defining a hole to be covered, generally forming a cylinder with an axial direction; a grommet cap having a substantially planar top side and an underside, the grommet cap comprising: a flange extending to an outer edge of the grommet cap and having a dimension larger than the hole to be covered; a shank depending from the underside of the grommet cap and having an outer surface with at least a substantial portion configured in conformance with the size and shape of at least a substantial portion of the inner surface of the sleeve; an aperture in the grommet cap extending in a radial direction through the flange to the outer edge of the grommet cap; and a non-captive element elongated in a longitudinal direction and having a first end and second end, with the first end opposite the second end in the longitudinal direction, the first end comprising an arm elongated in the longitudinal direction, the non-captive element having an extension extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the second end of the non-captive element comprising a closure portion, the closure portion joining the arm at a step and being sized and shaped so as to match the aperture in the grommet cap, the closure portion having a top side over substantially all of the closure portion, the top side of the closure portion being a planar surface elongated in the longitudinal direction; wherein the non-captive element is capable of being placed in at least the following three positions: a closed position in which the closure portion of the non-captive element fills the aperture in the grommet cap, the planar top side of the closure portion is substantially co-planar with the top side of the grommet cap, and the second end of the non-captive element is substantially contiguous with the outer edge of the grommet cap; an open position in which the non-captive element is disposed under the grommet cap and supported at least partially by the extension, with the second end substantially lower than the first end in the axial direction; and a separated position in which the non-captive element is removed entirely from and does not contact the grommet cap and the sleeve; and separating the non-captive element from the grommet cap and the sleeve.
 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the non-captive element in the open position is disposed at least ninety degrees below its closed position.
 47. The method of claim 45, wherein at least a portion of the non-captive element is substantially adjacent the underside of the cap in both the open and closed positions.
 48. The method of claim 45, wherein the non-captive element in the open position is permitted to touch the cap.
 49. The method of claim 45, wherein the non-captive element in the open position is removably attached to the grommet cap and may be moved to the closed position while remaining removably attached to the grommet cap.
 50. The method of claim 45, wherein the non-captive element in the open position can be removed with mild force.
 51. The method of claim 45, wherein the non-captive element in the open position can be removed with solely downward force in the axial direction.
 52. The method of claim 45, wherein the non-captive element in the closed position may be removed from the cap.
 53. The method of claim 45, wherein the non-captive element may be moved between the open position and the closed position by movement that includes pivoting.
 54. The method of claim 45, wherein the non-captive element may be moved between the open position and the closed position in a single motion.
 55. The method of claim 45, wherein the non-captive element is prevented from sliding in said radial direction. 